Station-indicator.



M. & G. B. GOLINKIN.

STATION INDIUATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26,1912.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

1 I I l I I l l l I I I l I I l l X l I M. & G. B. GOLINKIN.

STATION INDICATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 26, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

35 V A I Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MOSES GOLINKIN AND GEORGE BERNARD GOLINKIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STATION-INDICATOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Moses GOLINKIN and Gnonon BERNARD GOLINKIN, citizens of the United States of America, and residents of Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Station -Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of station indicator adapted to be automatically controlled for displaying in succession the names of the stations as they are approached by the vehicle in which the indicator is located; to provide improved operating mechanism for the indicator; to provide improved means for controlling said operating mechanism to insure proper registration of the names with the sight openings in the indicator casing; to provide improved means of this kind which will cause the name sheet to have a certain uniform linear travel regardless of the angular movement of the reels on which the sheet is wound; and to provide a station indicator that is simple and inexpensive in construction and positive in operation.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of one end of a station indicator constructed ac cording to this invention, the section being taken on the line A-A of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an end elevation, partly sectional, of the same as viewed from the plane of the line BB of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits by which the indicator is controlled. Fig. 41 is a fragmentary sectional detail taken on the line (l( of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the indicator. Fig. 6 is a reduced fragmentary detail of a car showing the indicator in position. Fig. 7 is an end view of one of the solenoids as viewed from the plane of the line DD, Fig. 1, illustrating, diagrammatically, the arrangement of the circuit breaker controlling the circuit leading thereto. Fig. 8 is a detail of the arrangement on the contacts on the idler over which the sheet travels.

In the construction shown in the drawings a pair of shafts 1 and 2 are rotatably mounted in the casing 3 on the bearings 3 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 26, 1912.

Patented A11 26,1913. Serial No. 705,961.

and have loosely mounted thereon the reels 1 and respectively. A name sheet 6 of paper, cloth, or other suitable material, is arranged to travel from one to the other of said reels over idlers 7 and 8, located in the upper and lower corners of the casing 3, so as to display the printed matter on the sheet through the sight opening 9.

The operating mechanism comprises a solenoid 10 which has its core 11 connected by the cord 12 to the are shaped member 13, carried on the arm 14 and which thereby rotates the gear 15 through the medium of the ratchet 16 rigidly secured thereto, and the pawl 17 carried on the end of the arm 18. The arms 11 and 18 are carried on a sleeve 19 journaled on the shaft 20 and are urged to their normal positions as shown in the figures, by means of the spring 21. The gear 15 is arranged to revolve the shafts 1 and 2 through the medium of pinions 22 and 23 respectively secured to said shafts 1 and 2, and idler gears 24 and 25. The idler gears 21 and 25 are carried on an arm 26 which is pivoted at 27 to the bracket 28, and which is adapted to be shifted so as to cause the engagement of one or the other of said idler gears with the gear 15 and the respective pinion, whereby only one of the reels can be positively driven at a time. The arm 26 is provided with a handle 29 extending to the exterior of the casing 3, by which the idler gears are shifted, suitable stop mechanism being provided for securing the arm in either position to which it is shifted. The ratio of the gear 15 and pinions 22 and 23 is such that a quarter revolution of the gear 15 will give substantially one revolution of the shaft to which it is operatively connected.

Clutch mechanism is provided for con necting or disconnecting the reels and their respective shafts so as to respectively permit the rotation of the reels with their shafts, or permit a relative movementof the reels and shafts. This clutch mechanism comprises a bar or part 30 slidably mounted on each of the shafts 1 and 2 normally urged by the springs 31 toward the right of Fig. 1. Each of the hubs 32 of the reels 4: and 5 provided with an annular series of shoulders 33 (Fig. 4) into engagement with which the shoulder or pawl 31 carried by the bar 30 is normally shifted by the spring 35 when the bar is urged outwardly by the spring 31. lVhen the bars are shifted inwardly toward the left of Fig; l the'pawls 34 are urged into recesses 36 in the bars whereby the reels 4 and 5 are released from their respective shafts so as to permit relative angular movement. As a further means of securing the reels against rotation when the clutch mech anism is shifted to release them from their respective shafts, a second or friction clutch is provided comprising a member or sleeve 37 slidably mounted. on the rods 31 andeach provided with a plurality of. radially disposed arms 3 8,v the ends of which are adapted to engage an annular recess or groove 39in the respective reels. The sleeves engage a shoulder 30 on the bars30 whereby the sleeves and bars are shifted simul taneously by the springs 31 ZIHClTdGYGI'S-QO.

The means by. which the clutch mechanism is controlled. comprises lever arms 40- pivotally mounted in the brackets 41 and connected attheir inner ends to the core 42 of a solenoid 43.. The outer ends of the levers are forked so as tc= embrace the shafts and they bear against the members 37 and when the core 42. is drawn intothe coil, urge the members 37 and the bars 30 in.- wardly against the action of the springs 3L... Then a certain definite portion of thesheet has beenwound from one reel to another, the solenoid 431 is; energized so asto effect the shifting of the clutch. mechanism and release the reels from their shafts; This energizing, of the solenoidis caused by the engagement of the contacts 44 and 45 respectively mounted-E on the idler 7- and an adjacent part. of the casing (Fig- The. 1

idler TI is of sucha. diameter that it will make a complete rotation during the. linear. travel of the sheet that is necessary to ad vance the sheet the distance between station names. The contacts 44 and 45 are respectively connected the conductors 46 and 47 to one end of the coil of the solenoid 43 and a source of current,-.the opposite end of the coil. being. connected. to the source of current by the conductor 48.. \Vhen the contacts and 45 are broughtintoengagement, the solenoid 43 becomes energized whereupon the reels 4 and 5 are released. from their respective shafts so that the movement of the sheet is instantly stopped, but the rotation. of the shafts- 1 and 2 continues until the core 11 of the solenoid. 10 has completed its movement. It will be seen; that upon the completion of each advance of the sheet the contacts 44 and 45 are left in engagement, andin order to cause-the clutch mechanism to operatively connect the reels with. their respective shafts preparatory to the next advance of the sheet, means must be provided to break the circuit to the solenoid 43 for permitting.

shifting of the clutch mechanism through the action of the springs 31 To this end -d'er 50 carried by the core 11 of the solenoid 1-0 It i's-shown herein pivoted on the coil of the solenoid 43 and normally urged by the spring 51 into the path of the cam 50,

which forms an extension of the core 11.

5 spring contact 5:2 on the solenoid coacts with the contact 53 on the pawl 49 for by. the cam 50.

breaking or making the circuit when the pawl is respectively engaged or disengaged I The camshoulder 50 is of such a length that it will hold the pawl in position. to cause the disengagement of the contacts 52 and 53 for a sufficient length of time to allow for a movement of the reels that will revolve the idler 7 to efiect ,the disengagement of the contacts 44 and 45. A. stop 52. limits the shifting of the .spring contact 52 so as to be disengaged from the contact 53 when the pawl 49 is engaged by the cam 50.- The pawl 49 is ,provided with a shoulder 49 which nor- -.mall'y-bears against the face of the core 42 Wl1Il the cam 50 is disengaged fronr the pawl, and when the core is drawn fully into the coil of the solenoid 43: the shoulder 4!) ,seats itself inthe notch 42 sons to hold the icore inits inwardly shifted position until- ,the" solenoid 10 completes its operation. .This insures against the idler 7 being caused to move through. momentum of the sheet "and. disengage the contacts 54 and 55 which .would allow the clutch mechanisms to be .released; before the movement of the op- ,erating mechanism had been. completed.

The energizing of the solenoid 10 is effected by the engagement of the contacts l 54 and 55 respectively carried ona gear and an adjacent part of the car frame, -which contacts are respectively connected by the conductors 57 and 58 to the source of. current and one end of the coil of the solenoid, the opposite end of the coil being connected by the conductor 59 to the source of current. The gear 56 is operated by a the route on which the station indicator is to be used. By virtue of this construction it will be seen that the operating mechanism for the reels will be actuated positively at uniform intervals. If the distance between. stations along the route varies, the station names may be repeated one or more times so that the name of the next station might appear a number of times before the station was reached.

If desired, the sight opening 9 may be Emutil'ated gear 60 mounted on the axle 61 'of the car and having. a single tooth 62 completed.

divided into two parts, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the names of the stat-ions will appear in one of the parts and an advertisement in the other part. The indicator is made in compact form so as to be shifted from one end of the car to the other when the direction of travel of the car is reversed, or from one car to another.

The operation of the device shown is as follows: As illustrated in the drawings, the entire mechanism is shown in position ready to be operated for advancing the sheet 6 as soon as the rotation of the gear 56 has been completed so as to cause the engagement of the contacts 54 and 55 for the purpose of energizing the solenoid 10. Upon the energizing of the solenoid, the core 11 will be drawn into the coil which will cause the pawl 17 and ratchet 16 to revolve the gear 15, the movement of which will be transmitted through the idler gear 25 to the pinion 23 for rotating the shaft 2. The clutch mechanisms being in their normal positions the reel 5 will rotate with the shaft 2, thereby winding the sheet 6 onto the reel. The unwinding of the sheet from the reel 4 will not be affected by the driving of the reel 5, since the idler gear 24 is shifted out of mesh with the gear 15. As soon as the sheet 6 has completed a definite linear movement which will advance the sheet to bring the next name into registration with the sight opening and which will cause the idler 7 to make a complete revolution so that the contact-s 44 and 45 reenter into engagement, the circuit will be completed to the solenoid 43 to cause the energizing thereof. Instantly upon the energizing of the solenoid 43, the core 42 thereof is drawn into the coil whereupon the levers 40 are shifted so as to cause the outer ends to force the members 37 and bars 30 inwardly against the action of the springs 31. The inward movement of the bars 30 causes the pawls 34 to be urged against the action of the springs 35 into the recesses 36 and out of engagement with the respective shoulders 33. The reels 4 and 5 thereupon become disconnected from their respective shafts 1 and 2 and the arms 38 of the members 37 are seated in the annular groove 39 so as to insure against further movement of the reels. The shaft 2 is therefore free to, continue its rotation until the core 11 has completed its full downward stroke into the coil of the solenoid 10. WVhen the core 42 is fully drawn within the coil, the shoulder 49 seats itself in the notch 42 and the clutch mechanisms are held retracted until such downward stroke has been By the time the solenoid has completed its downward movement, the gear 56 has been moved another tooth which will cause the contacts 54 and 55 to pass out of engagement thereby breaking the circuit to the solenoid 10 which will become deenergized and allow the spring21 to return the core 11 and the ratchet 17 to their normal positions preparatory to a further advance of the sheet 6 upon ree'ngagement of the contacts 54 and 55. The return movement of the core 11 will cause the cam shoulder 50 to engage the pawl 49 and shift it so as to cause the disengagement first of the shoulder 49 and notch 42, so as to release the core, and then of the contacts 52 and 53, whereby the circuit to the solenoid 43 is broken, this being necessary to effect the de energizing of the solenoid 43 so that the springs 31 may shift the clutch mechanisms to their normal positions for connecting the reels 4 and 5 with their respective shafts so that a subsequent movement of the operating mechanism will cause the advance of the sheet. The cam shoulder 50 is of such a length that it will remain in engagement with the pawl 49 long enough to hold the contacts 52 and 53 out of engagement a sufficient length of time to permit the idler 7 to effect the disengagement of the contact 44 and 45. As soon as the cam shoulder 50 recedes from the pawl 49, the spring 51 will shift the pawl to cause the engagement of the contacts 52 and 53, so that the circuit will be in condition to be completed upon the reengagement of the contacts 44 and 45.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

\Ve claim 1. In a station indicator, the combination of a pair of rotatable shafts, winding reels loosely mounted on said shafts, a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels, a motor connected to rotate said shafts, coacting engaging means on said shafts and reels, mechanism normally urging said engaging means into interlocking engagement to permit the rotation of said reels with their respective shafts, and means controlled by the linear travel of said sheet and adapted to disengage said engaging means for permitting a relative movement of said shafts and reels.

2. In a station indicator, the combination of a pair of rotatable shafts, i'vinding reels loosely mounted on said shafts, a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels, a motor connected to rotate said shafts, a part slidably mounted on each of said shafts, coacting engaging means on said reels and parts, mechanism normally urging said parts into position to effect the engagement of said engaging means, and means controlled by the linear travel of said sheet and adapted to shift said parts to effect the disengagement of said engaging means.

shafts, an annular seriesof shoulders on each of said reels, apart slidably mounted on each of said shafts, apawl carried by said part and normally urged into position to engage said annular series of shoulders, and means controlled by thelineartravel of said sheet and adapted to'shift said parts to cause the retraction ofsaid pawls.

4. In astation indicator, the combination of a pair ofrota-table shafts, winding reels loosely mounted onsaid shafts, a name sheet adapted to travel fromone to the" other of said reels, a motor connected to rotate said shafts, coacting. engaging means on said shafts and reels, mechanism normally urging said engaging means into interlocking engagement to permit the rotation of said reels with their'respective-shafts, means con trolled by the linear travel" of said" sheet and adapted to disengage said engaging means for permittinga relative movement of said shafts and reels, and other means actuated by said first means for engaging said reels and securing the same against rotation, when said shoulders are disengaged.

5. In a station indicator, the combination of a pair ofrotatable' shafts; winding reels loosely mounted on said shafts, a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels, a motor connected to rotate said shafts, a part slidably mounted on each of said shafts, coacting engaging means on said reels and parts, mechanism normally urging said parts into position to effect the engagement of said engaging means, means controlled by the linear travel of said sheet andadapted to shift said' parts to effect the disengagement of said engaging means, and clutch mechanism adapted to be shifted by said means to engage said' reels for holding the same against rotation.

6. In a' station indicator, the combination of a pair of rotatable shafts, winding reels loosely mounted on said shafts, a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels, a motor connected to rotate said shafts, an annular series of shoulders on each of said reels, a part slidably mounted on each of said shafts, a pawl carried by said part and normally urged into position to engage said annular series of shoulders, means controlled by the linear travel of said sheet and adapted to shift said parts to cause the retraction of said pawls, and a sleeve mounted to slide along said shaft, se cured against rotation, and having a plurality of radially disposed arms, said sleeve being adapted to be shifted by said means for causing the frictional engagement of said arms with said reels.

' gagement to cause the operation of said electric means, and other meansactuated by the linear travel of said sheet for controlling the relative movement of said contacts.

8; In a station indicator, the combination 'of a pair of shafts, winding reels mounted on said shafts, a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels, motor for rotating said shafts, mechanism normally urged into position to connect said reels with said shafts, electric means connected to said mechanism and adapted to be actuated for retracting said mechanism to release said reels from saidtshafts, a rotatable member having contact with said sheet so as to be rotated thereby, a fixed contact, a movable contact carried by said rotary member and adapted to be shifted into engagement with said fiXed contact through the rotation of said member as controlled by the linear travel of said sheet, said contacts being electrically connected with said electrical means and a source of current whereby the engagement of said contacts will cause said electrical means to retract said mechanism.

9. In a station indicator,-the combination of a pair of rotatable shafts, winding reels mounted on said shafts, a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels, a motor connected to rotate said shafts, clutch mechanism normally urged into position to connect said shafts and reels, a solenoid, levers connecting the core of said solenoid with said clutch mechanism, a rotary member arranged in position to be rotated by said sheet, a fixed contact, a movable contact carried by said member and adapted to be shifted into engagement with said fixed contact through the rotation of said member as controlled by the linear travel of said sheet, said contacts being electrically connected to said solenoid and a source of current, whereby the engagement of said con tacts will cause said solenoid to shift the clutch mechanism to disengage said reels and shafts.

10. In a station indicator, the combination of a casing, a pair of shafts journaled in said casing, winding reels mounted on said shafts, a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels, a motor connected to rotate said shafts, coacting engaging means on said shafts and reels, means normally urging said engaging means into engagement, a solenoid, mechanism connecting the core of said solenoid with said means, a pair of relatively movable contacts adapted to be periodically shifted into engagement through the linear travel of said sheet, said contacts being electrically connected with said solenoid and a source of current whereby the engagement of said contacts will cause said solenoid to retract said means for disengaging said engaging means.

11. In a station indicator, the combination of a casing, a pair of shafts journaled in said casing, winding reels mounted on said shafts, a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels, a motor connected to rotate said shafts, a bar slidably mounted on each of said shafts, coacting engaging means on said bars and reels, means normally urging said bars to effect the engagement of said engaging means, a solenoid, levers pivotally mounted in said casing and connected to the core of said. solenoid and adapted to bear against said bars, and a pair of relatively movable contacts adapted to be shifted into and out of engagement through the linear travel of said sheet, said contacts being electrically connected to said solenoid and source of current.

12. In a station indicator, the combination of a pair of rotatable shafts, winding reels mounted on said shafts, a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels, a gear, a solenoid, means connecting the core of said solenoid and gear for causing the rotation thereof, pinions secured to said shafts, a pair of idler gears adapted to be alternately shifted into engagement with said gear and one of said pinions for causing the rotation of one or the other of said shafts, clutch mechanism normally urged into position to cause a rotation of said reels with said shafts. and means controlled by the linear travel of said sheet for causing the retraction of said clutch mechanism.

13. In a station indicator, the combination of a pair of shafts; winding reels mounted on said shafts; aname sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels; clutch mechanism normally urged into position to connect said reels and shafts; a solenoid; mechanism connecting the core of said solenoid to rotate said shafts; a pair of contacts electrically connected to said solenoid and source of current; means adapted to cause the periodical engagement of said contacts for causing the rotation of said shafts through the energizing of said solenoid; a second solenoid; mechanism connecting the core of said second solenoid with said clutch mechanism for retracting the same; a second pair of contacts adapted to be periodically shifted into engagement through a uniform linear travel of said sheet, said contacts being electrically connected to said second solenoid and source of current whereby the engagement of said contacts will cause said solenoid to shift said clutch i'nechanism to disengage said reels and shafts.

14. In a station indicator, the combination of a pair of shafts; winding reels mounted on said shafts; a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels; clutch mechanism normally urged into position to connect said reels and shafts; a solenoid; mechanism connecting the core of said solenoid to rotate said shafts; a pair of contacts electrically connected to said solenoid and source of current; means adapted to cause the periodical engagement of said contacts for causing the rotation of said shafts through the energizing of said solenoid; a second solenoid, mechanism connecting the core of said second solenoid with said clutch mechanism for retracting the same; a second pair of contacts adapted to be periodically shifted into engagement through a uniform linear travel of said sheet, said contacts being electrically connected to said second solenoid and source of current whereby the engagement of said contacts will cause said solenoid to shift said clutch mechanism to disengage said reels and shafts; a circuit breaker interposed in the circuit connecting said second contacts with said second solenoid; and means controlled by the core of said first solenoid for operating said circuit breaker to open said circuit when the rotation of said shafts has been completed.

15. In a station indicator, the combination of a pair of shafts; winding reels mounted on said shafts; a name sheet adapted to travel from one to the other of said reels; clutch mechanism normally urged into position to connect said reels and shafts; a solenoid; mechanism connecting the core of said solenoid to rotate said shafts; a pair of contacts electrically connected to said solenoid and source of current; means adapted to cause the periodical engagement of said contacts for causing the rotation of said shafts through the energizing of said solenoid; a second solenoid; mechanism connecting the core of said second solenoid with said clutch mechanism for retracting the same; a second pair of contacts adapted to be periodically shifted into engagement through a uniform linear travel of said sheet, said contacts being electrically connected to said second solenoid and source of currentwhereby the engagement of said contacts will cause said solenoid to shift said clutch mechanism to disengage said reels and shafts; a circuit breaker interposed in the circuit connecting said second, Signed at Chicago this 28th day of May contacts with said second solenoid; and? 1912.

means carried by the core of said first sole MOSES G'OLINKIN.

noid and adapted to engage said circuit GEORGE BERNARD GOLIN KIN. breaker to open said circuit during the lat- Vitnesses:

EDWIN PHELPS,

ter part of the return stroke and the initial THOMAS P. WALL.

part of the down stroke of said core.

Copies of this patent may be obtained tor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,071,310, granted August 26, 1913, upon the application of Moses Golinkin and George Bernard Golinkin, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improvement in Station-Indicators, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 30, for the Word Shoulders reed engaging means; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of Ocwloer A. D., 1913.

R. T. FRAZIER,

Acting Commissioner of Patents,

[SEAL] 

